July 20 – National Lollipop Day

Or, if you want to try your hand at being a confectioner, Sandra Lee has a recipe (below) for cherry lollipops on foodnetwork.com. While I haven’t tried this recipe myself (yet), I did read many positive comments on it. Also, you several readers suggested that you can substitute any flavor gelatin for variety. Gale Gand also has a recipe on foodnetwork.com, for psychedelic lollipops. Though perhaps a more challenging recipe, it’s a great chance to make edible art.

Butter 2 large baking sheets. Arrange 10 lollipop sticks on each baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart. Stir sugar, corn syrup, and butter in small saucepan over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Continue cooking for 7 minutes, or until candy thermometer registers 275 degrees F. Stir in gelatin until smooth. Using a metal tablespoon and working quickly, spoon syrup over 1 end of each lollipop stick. Cool completely. Wrap each lollipop in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.